[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Pages 20542-20544]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     MINNESOTA'S FAVORITE TEACHERS

  Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, Recently I invited Minnesotans to honor 
their favorite teachers. The response was overwhelming.
  Over 4,000 Minnesotans nominated their favorite teachers. Many 
teachers were nominated more than once. Current students nominated 
present teachers. Older Minnesotans nominated teachers from years, even 
decades, ago.
  Many of the honored teachers are still actively teaching; others are 
now retired; some have passed away. I wish there was time here and 
space in the Congressional Record to read all of the words of 
admiration and gratitude, which accompanied those 4,000 nominations.
  They were truly heartwarming. Very successful adults credited special 
teachers with turning their lives around; helping them to recognize 
their undiscovered talents, or sparking interests which led to their 
successful careers.
  The specific details varied but the conclusions were the same. Those 
teachers made huge differences in the lives of their students. They 
saved lives. They made lives. They taught more than their subjects. 
They taught ways of thinking, ways of being. They taught study skills 
and the value of hard work. They helped boys and girls; young women and 
young men to find themselves, to believe in themselves, and to better 
themselves. They helped young dreamers learn how to live out those 
dreams and how to make them life-enhancing realities.
  We do too little to credit and honor the many teachers--dedicated men 
and women--who perform these human miracles for our children. They are 
modestly paid at best, underpaid at worst, although most of them do not 
teach for monetary rewards. They teach for their love of teaching, for 
the joys of performing their magical awakening of young minds to new 
possibilities. They take personal satisfaction in their own knowledge 
of their successes, even when they are seldom recognized and 
appreciated by the rest of us. It may be only years later that someone

[[Page 20543]]

thinks to note their incredible contributions. Now is one those 
moments.
  Sadly, in Minnesota, there is mostly bashing and trashing of public 
school teachers and public schools. They are paid $2,500 less than the 
national averages for public school K-12 teachers. Their class sizes 
are larger than the national average. State support for public school 
students is declining, both in real dollars and relative to other 
states. They are asked to do more and more, with less and less.
  The least we can do is to say thank you, when they do their jobs 
well. I encourage my fellow Minnesotans to thank a teacher this week or 
this month, and next week or next month. Either a present or former 
teacher. For a special job, well done. They deserve it. They have 
earned it.
  I ask unanimous consent that names of teachers nominated by 
Minnesotans as their favorite teachers be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

       ABE Program (Burnsville)--Dorien Busch; Academia Cesar 
     Chavez--Melissa Deeb; Academy of Hly Angels--Nancy 
     Alcombright, Johanna Giesen, Kate Hanson, Mary Jonas, James 
     Page, Gregg Sawyer; Academy of Saints Peter & Paul--Rachel 
     Gapinsky, Molly Green-Tandberg, Mrs. Whitmore; Adams 
     Elementary (Coon Rapids)--Jenny Popp, Tim Simonson; Adams 
     Magnet Elementary (St. Paul)--Casey Cavenaugh, Ruth Gandara, 
     Tatiana Leiva, Andrea Marcy, Marina Median, Amy Ottaviani, 
     Tamara Ramirez, Shelly Stevens, Carrie Webber; Adrian 
     Elementary--Jolene Henning; Afton-Lakeland Elementary--
     Caronline DeRuck, Colleen Hayne, Derek Olson; AGAPE-ALC (St. 
     Paul)--Rosemary Dosch; Akin Road Elementary--Anita 
     Ruthenbeck; Albany High School--Bill Krogman; Albert Lea High 
     School--Jill Donahue, Paul Kile; Albertville ECSE Program--
     Linda Foss; Albrook School--Kit Davis, Sandra Olson; Alden-
     Conger Secondary School--Marty Anderson; Alice Smith 
     Elementary--Anne Crowe, Ms. Lynch, Martha Mason, Jody Olson, 
     Carla Perrier, Shelley Varner; Alta Elementary--Cary 
     Friedrich; Alternative Learning Center (Norwood-Young 
     America)--Dennis Stanek; American Indian Magnet--Ms. 
     Fairbanks, Heidi Nakatani; Ames Elementary--John Weimholt; 
     Anderson Open Elementary--Deb Becker, Martha Purcell, Jo 
     Thies, Tony Trelles; Andover--Patti Bollinger; Andover 
     Elementary--Mrs. Bastian, Gail Fessler, Mrs. Vanarsedale, 
     Linda Zdenek, Terry Zumberg, Sue Casey; Andover High School--
     Deb Aaarsch, Stew Lasky, Renee Voltin; Annandale Middle 
     School--Troy Davidson, Pam Peterson; Anne Sullivan 
     Communication Center--Susette Brandon, Pat Coonen-Korte, 
     Molly Coyne, Sharon DeLisle, Joyce Graham, Alan Husby, Ron 
     Hustvedt, Sue Levahn; Annuciation School--Marie Murphy, Mrs. 
     Nixon, Mary Strickland; Anoka--Joleen Lundeen; Anoka High 
     School--Mr. Alhquist, Mr. Baufield, Scott Birklid, Jeff 
     Buerkle, Mr. Coffee, Marilee Gustafson, Peter Hayes, Morrie 
     Johnson, Paul Kelley, Bob and Susan Kimball, Mr. Rignell, 
     Brenda Selander, Mr. Wicks;
       Anoka-Ramsey Community College--Steve Beste, Gorrdy Wax; 
     Anoka-Hennepin Community College--Judy Klein-Pells, Lea 
     Yager; Anwatin Middle School--Ed Barlow, Lou Byers, Dennis 
     Debe, Tom Muehlbauer, Steven Polen, Libby Schubert, Tanna 
     Swanson, Chris Wernimont, Jackie Williams; Apollo High 
     School--Sue Peterka; Apple Valley High School--Cathy 
     Campbell, Mike Egstad, Barry Gimpel, Robert Helgeson, Thomas 
     O'Neill, Frank Pasquerella, Ron Ronning, Wenzel Ruhmann; 
     Arden Hills--Mr. Price; Argosy University--Susan Hines; 
     Arlington High School--Allan Grady, Tami Molkenbur, Michelle 
     Monogue, Diana Morton, Ms. Page, Mark Rawlings, Claudia 
     Reeve, Sue Tuggle; Armatage Elementary--Sue Allen, Jane 
     Campbell, Hern Livermore, Mary Shaffer, Les Beudoin; 
     Armstrong High School--Mary Davis, Jill Wolpert; ARTech 
     Charter School (Northfield)--Anne Klawiter; Ashland Middle 
     School--Ms. Heino; Assumption School--Ms. Kolidji; Augsburg 
     College--Dal Liddle, John Shockley; Augustan College--Janina 
     Ehrlich; Austin High School--Maurine Carver, Peter Schmidt; 
     Avalon Charter School--Nora Whalen; Aveda Institute--Lyndon 
     Barsten, Joe Lopez; Avon Elementary--Ridell Mathwison; Bailey 
     Elementary--Renee Birkholtz; Baker Elementary--Florence 
     Allen, Sue Powell; Baldwin-Woodville High School--Marti 
     Koller; Bamber Valley Elementary--Janet Carlson; Bancroft 
     Elementary--Mrs. Johnson, Jill Loesch, Danton Tyree; Barton 
     Open Elementary--Mary Austin, Mark Downing, Laura Ellison, 
     Karin Emerson, Lee Fabel, Maryann Fabel, Allison Forester, M. 
     Gauthier, Kate Glasenapp, Robin Jacobs, Chris Jaglo, John 
     Kline, Julie Martin, Patrice Pavek, Helena Perry, Amber 
     Place, Scott Slocum, Jane Spicer, Jackie Sullivan; Basswood 
     Elementary--Wendy Forsyth, Ms. Lalin, Reene Williams; Battle 
     Creek Magnet Elementary--Jennifer Carwright, Joan Hunkeke; 
     Bay View Elementary (Duluth)--Sue Hieb; Bayview Elementary 
     (Waconia)--Stacy Gustafson; Becker High School--Sue Meyer, 
     Dan Olson, Lisa Sackett, Joini Svaren; Becker Intermediate 
     Elementary--Joan O'Brian; Becker Middle School--Wayne 
     Johnson, Jennifer Mahowald, Sandy Hayes; Bel Air Elementary--
     Debbie Raymond; Belle Plain Elementary--Diane Hanson; Belle 
     Plaine Junior High--Steven Schroeder; Bemidji--Orin 
     Ecternach, Mrs. Sanford; Bemidji High School--Dan Bryant, 
     James Saari, Diane Sharpe;
       Bemloji Middle School--Kent Nichols, Moe Webb; Bemidji 
     State University--Mark Christensen; Ben Franklin Junior 
     High--Dy Fladland; Bendix Elementary--Brian Atkinson, Ms. 
     Fee; Benilde-Saint Margaret's School--Michael Jeremiah, 
     Sylvian Sundrom, Mrs. Zahedi; Benjamin Banneker Middle 
     School--Scott Grabowski, Delores Lemp; Bethune Elementary--
     Elizabeth Bergu, Sandi Sween; Birch Grove Elementary--Mrs. 
     Johnson, Tanya Stember; Birchview Elementary--Marianne 
     Brinda, Kathy Henkel, Douglas Johnson, Shannon Peterson; 
     Birchwood Elementary (Duluth)--Milton Hill; Birchwood 
     Elementary (Plymouth)--Jill Freshwaters; Bird Island 
     Elementary--Betsy Hennen; Bishop Elementary--Mrs. Barnes; 
     Black Hawk Middle School--Alan Glass, Mrs. Windgate; Blaine 
     High School--Frank Shelton, Robert Strand, Joyce Banghart, 
     Robert Godding, Alan Krantz, Mr. Mesick, Bradley Miller, 
     Bruce Olson, Larry Osnek, Walt Pimlott, Kathleen Pimlott, Ed 
     Schaefle, Ms. Sundberg, Jean Wontor; Blessed Sacrament School 
     (St. Paul)--Angie Kelcher; Blessed Sacrament School (Toledo, 
     OH)--Mrs. Tansey, Mrs. Wyrick; Bloomington--Mike Becker, 
     Carol Berg, Debbie Rohde, Mrs. Russell, Jan Tweet, All 
     Bloomington School District Teachers; Blue Heron Elementary--
     Ms. Kegley, Kathy Perreault, Mandy Hidabrands; Bluff Creek 
     Elementary--Sharla Ekegren, Lisa Gilbert, Susan Gulstrand; 
     Braham Area Secondary School--Herman Aune; Brainard High 
     School--Sue Headlee, Alan Hewitt, Keith Peterson; Breck 
     School--Mrs. Barton, Jane Bartow, Peter Clark, Penny 
     Donelson, Dan Dotteny, Mr. Thomas, Sara Thorne, Bonnie Zeff; 
     Bridgewater Elementary--Lee Murray; Brimhall Elementary--
     Lonnie Doberstein, Shirley Heiligman, Ann Hobbie, Margaret 
     Kuhfield, Marina Liadova, Rich Olson, Ms. Tyler; Brooklyn 
     Center High School--Robert Jacobson, Roger Dick, Ben Vennes; 
     Brookland Park--Mrs. Lafrenz, Judith Nelson, Tracey Williams; 
     Brooklyn Park Junior High--Al Daas, Cindy Knight, Mr. 
     Johnson; Brookside Education Center--Mary Hinnekamp; Brown 
     College--Lyn Bell, Rick Murray; Bruce F. Vento Elementary--
     Laura Vargo, Marjorie Smith; Bryn Mawr Elementary--Annette 
     Gagliardi, Suzanne Greenberg, Joann Parker, Jeanie Revor; 
     Buchtel Senior High School (Akron, OH)--James Wortham; Budd 
     Elementary--Michelle Rosen; Buffalo Community Middle School--
     Mrs. Baunschmidt, Greg Blacik, Suzette Habisch, Barry 
     Johnson, Joan Olson; Buffalo High School--Gerry Bakke, Mrs. 
     Cary, Tracy Hagstrom, David Robinson, Joel Squadroni, Mrs. 
     Soderman; Burnsville--Mrs. Ubbelohde, Ms. Conrad, Shannon 
     Westerbuck, Dan Wolf, Mrs. Wolter, Matt Deutsch, Mrs. Drugge, 
     Kevin Floyd, Linda Goude, Jenny Hugstad-Vaa, Andy 
     Karageorgiu, Jeff Marshall, Cheryl Thorson, Harlan Ernisee, 
     David Griffith;
       Burroughs Elementary--Tim Cadotte, Mrs. Curtis, Ms. Davies, 
     Theresa Fee, Norman Hauer, Joe Janssen, Mr. Kilabarda, Samuel 
     Larsen, Greg Moen; Byron Elementary--Rebecca Demmer, 
     C.H.I.L.D. Preschool, Fairview University Medical Center--
     Rose Beauchamp; Cambridge--Isanti School District--Chris 
     Miller; Calvin Christian School--Amanda Kubacki; Cambridge 
     Middle School--Mark Rothbauer; Cambridge-Isanti High School--
     Bruce Anderson, Kathy Dolezal, Bob Dolezal, Rebecca Lieser, 
     John Porisch, Shane Weibel; Cannon Falls Elementary--Nancy 
     Berhow, Staff of Cannon Falls Elementary; Cannon Falls High 
     School--John Fogarty, Pat Senjum; Cannon Falls Middle 
     School--Carol McNeary; Capitol Hill Elementary--Robert Burns, 
     Barbara Ford, Mrs. Gulner; Capitol Hill Magnet--Renne 
     Antonow, John Benda, Robert Burns, Mr. Lewter, Annette Lopez, 
     John Maycock, Jane McKim, Mrs. Ochi-Watson, John Porter, 
     Nancy Randall, Mr. Scott, Tom DeGree, Lucy Kanson, Niemiec 
     Marian, Marti Starr, Mary Steffy, Carlton Elementary--Kathryn 
     Vigliaturo; Carlton High School--Mr. Gardner; Carondelet 
     Catholic School--Kevin Bagley, Anna Hoffman, Jeff Ruhnke, Mr. 
     Wright; Carver Elementary--Kathryn Gantriis, Patti Life, 
     Sandy Winegarden; Carver-Scott Education Cooperative--Cindy 
     Walters; Castle Elementary--Barb Ives, Joyce Tonn, Micah 
     Friese; Cedar Creek Community School--Mrs. Mozetti, Pete 
     Rose; Cedar Island Elementary--Norma Hughes, Ms. Tobler, 
     Chuck Waltz, Jennifer Leslie, All Cedar Island Elementary 
     Teachers; Cedar Manor Elementary--Marriah Davis; Cedar Park 
     Elementary--Mrs. Kouba, Mrs. Rustad, Sandy Spitzner; Cedar 
     Rapids Community Schools--Dora McNulty, Mr. Moran, Jan 
     Schrader; Cedar Ridge Elementary (Eden Prairie)--Beth Kohls, 
     Barry Zeeb; Cedar Riverside Community School (Minneapolis)--

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     Stephanie Byrdziak; Cedar School--Joan Ward; Cedarburg High 
     School--Robert Merklein; Centennial Elementary (Circle 
     Pines)--Mrs. Doble, Ms. Fritz, Mr. Gutbrod, Amy Halbur, Emily 
     Hjelle, Rhonda Stone, Mr. Wirkkunen; Centennial Elementary 
     (Richfield)--Erica Busta-Loken, Jake Jauert, Becky Rysted; 
     Centennial High School (Circle Pines)--Duane, John Eret, 
     Nicole Larson, Greg Schmidt, Nicole Sherry, Jeff Welciek, 
     David Wolff; Centennial Junior High (Lino Lakes)--Mrs. Allen; 
     Centennial Middle School (Lino Lakes)--Jill Ehlen Christian 
     Gould, Suzanne Horne, Erica Joy Johnson, Karen Ross-Brown, 
     Greg Schnagl, Laurie Tangren, Ann Thomsen;
       Centerville Elementary School--Ann Batholomew; Central 
     Community Center (Minneapolis)--Kris Fingerson; Central 
     Community Center Child Care (St. Louis Park)--Beth Shannon; 
     Central Elementary (Norwood)--Dave Rauch; Central Elementary 
     (Winona)--Carol Harbinson; Central High School (Duluth)--Cal 
     Benson; Central High School (Omaha, NE)--Dan Daly; Central 
     High School (St. Paul)--R.C. Demers, John Elwell, Orville 
     Everson, Patrty Heim, Mrs. Jithendranathan, Mary Mackbee, 
     Donald Murray, Cathy Nachbar, Tom Niland, Matthew Oyen, 
     Lorraine Potuzak, Meredith Rainbow, John Rousseau, Mrs. 
     Schlukebier, Ms. Speltz, Amy Stelle, Ed Roth; Central Lakes 
     College--Mary Barthel; Central Middle School (Eden Prairie)--
     Patrick Gallagher, Scott Hackett, Karen Nelson; Central 
     Middle School (Plymouth)--Dan Nielsen; Central Middle School 
     (Wihte Bear Lake)--Kari Jansen; Central Park Elementary 
     (Roseville)--Lisa Bell, Liz Dayton, Gail Hoveland-Wires, 
     Andrew Nielsen, Mrs. Snyder, Ms. Wheton; Central Services 
     Building (Stillwater)--Jo Tate; Century College--Brian Downs, 
     Wayne Haag, Mark Hophmeister, Kim Loomis; Centruy High School 
     (Rochester)--Shane Baker, Sonia Ellsworth, Lanny Kolpek, Jean 
     Marvin, Phillip Olson, Kari Stellpflug; Century Junior High 
     (Forest Lake)--Patricia Cheynne, Ricahrd Hofstede, Glen King, 
     Carol Rupar, Ms. Trampe; Champlin Elementary--Deborah Dille, 
     Geoff Olinyk, Dave Walters, Carol Allen, Mr. Baufield, Kerry 
     Bogenreif, Mrs. Burtness, Karen Gallagher, Ms. Hable, Ryan 
     Holmgren, Bradley Johnson, Vicki Johnson, Amy Kennedy, Steve 
     Lyons, Geoff Olinyk, Mr. Rosenkranz, Clark Sanders, Chris 
     Woodward, Kathy Suski; Chanhassen Elementary--Robin Coleman, 
     Jane Johnson, Jen Ptacek, Janet Snyder, Karen Timmers, Sharon 
     Tupper; Chapel Hill Academy--Mary Stude; Chaska Elementary--
     Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Kingdig, Gregory Lange, Mr. Shernock, 
     Darla Work; Chaska High School--Fred Berg, Cheryl Boe, Sharah 
     Boehlke, Chris Cormmers, Jason Pelowski, Christopher 
     Schriever; Chaska Middle School East--Chris Behrens, Mrs. 
     Melius, Jill Wimberger; Chaska Middle School West--Ron 
     Cramer, Nate Delowski, Cullen Nelson; Chelsea Heights 
     Elementary--Mr. Barnes, Ms. Barry, Lynn Bartol, Lynn 
     Blumthal, Ron Johnson, Jodie Krogseng, Ann Linz, Micky 
     Palewicz, Christine Stolz, Diana Swanson, Ms. Young; Cherokee 
     Heights Magnet Elementary--Ms. Otto; Cherry View Elementary--
     Lynn Dolan, Mrs. Grant, Claudia Nelson, Tina Pearson, Deane 
     Barta, Pat Isbel; Child Garden Montessori--Kathy Sefelt;
       Children's Center Montessori--Jean, Lori; Children's 
     Country Day School--Sheila; Chippewa Middle School--Christine 
     Alexander, Keith Anderson, Ms. Carley, Karen Forest, Mrs. 
     Ifkavitch, Judy Klohs, Ms. Nickila, Mrs. Plocher, Ric 
     Seiderkranz, Joseph Thell; Chisago--Katie Hawkins Ahearn; 
     Chisago Lakes Elementary--Jamie Thaler; Chisago Lakes High 
     School--Pat Collins, Jason Mahlen, Peg McCubbin, Diane 
     Spychalla; Chisago Lakes Middle School--Jim Gillach, Linda 
     Guanzini, Lynnett Kutzke, Sally Lundholm, Gloria Peterson, 
     Jim Sauerbry, Paul Swanson; Chosen Valley Elementary--Mary 
     Jasmin; Chosen Valley Elementary--Ms. Mathison; Chosen Valley 
     Elementary--Barb Schroeder; Christ Community Lutheran 
     School--Jeff Boehlke, Barb Laabs, Julie Steinborn, Madeline 
     Strei; Christ Lutheran School--Mark Dobberstein; Christa 
     McAulilffe Elementary--Cindy Belongia; Christ's Household of 
     Fiath--Karin Alsbury, Adella Alsbury, David Behum; Churchill 
     Elementary (Rochester)--Mrs. Stekel; Churchill High School 
     (Winnipeg, Canada)--Neil Dempsey; City of Lakes Waldorf 
     School--Emily McLoury, Ms. Ouellette; Cityview Community 
     School--Melissa Kaiser-Crist, Michael Stokes; Clarkfield 
     Junior High School--Tom Diekman; Clear Springs Elementary--
     Kaari Cox, Ms. Moret; Clearbrook-Gonvick High School--Jacob 
     Boomgaarden; Clearwater Middle School (Waconia)--Jeff Radel; 
     Cleveland Middle School (St. Paul)--Mary Cathryn Ricker; 
     Cleveland Public School (Cleveland)--Greg Davis; Clinton-
     Graceville-Beardsley High School--Randy Giles; Cloquet High 
     School--Dan Naslund; Clover Ridge Elementary--Heather Miller, 
     Jeffifer Shinn; Coleraine--Tom Patnaude; College of Saint 
     Benedict--Mara Faulkner, Dale White; College of Saint 
     Catherine--Patricia Eldred, Dale McGowan, Julie Ashland, 
     Aruni Fernando; Colorado Spring--Ann Elrod; Columbia Heights 
     High School--Jim Jungers, Dan Shuck, Kris Svedberg; Columbus 
     Elementary School--Sharon DeRaad; Community of Peace 
     Academy--Tim Danz, Susan Gottlieb, Carrie Eicher; Community/
     Family Education Center (St. Paul)--Sue Betten; Como Park 
     Elementary--Susan Munion; Como Park High School--Jeff Gosse, 
     Mr. Grebner, Mike Lewis, Roy Magnuson, Sharon Mason; Concord 
     Elementary--Deborah Carroll, Colin Friden, Kari Ingemann, Ms. 
     Koster, Kimberly Moore, Pam Olson, Leslie Stacey, Mrs. 
     Swanson, Holly Thiede, Rosemary Thiel; Concordia Academy 
     (Roseville)--Dean Dunnavan, Micah Treichel; Concordia College 
     of Bronxville--Mandara Nakhai.

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